From leaving Lotto tickets in library books to paying for people's parking, two Tauranga sisters have been on a mission to complete 65 random acts of kindness – now it's time to return the favour.
The ‘good fellows' of Good Neighbour Trust are spending this morning tidying up Kristie Purton and Nikki Reynolds-Wilson's garden after recently installing a new bathroom at their Greerton home.
Good Neighbour Trust manager Campbell Hill says they found out via Facebook that the girls needed a new bathroom.
'They were brushing their teeth in the kitchen, they had no shower and no vanity. So we've been around and got some sponsorship and put a new bathroom in for them.
'Then we looked on the outside and thought they could do with a little tidy up. So we thought why not get in and give them a helping hand.”
From 9am-12pm today volunteers will be getting stuck in the backyard, as well as building a sandpit and play area for the children.
Kristie, 31, and Nikki, 24, were born with cystic fibrosis – a genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys and intestine.
They were the perfect candidates for a new garden and bathroom, according to Good Neighbour.
'It's about finding people who need a hand up and just encouraging people who want to do something for the community, but just don't know how or where,” says Campbell.
'I hope it inspires other businesses or people to think they can do something too. It doesn't have to be on this scale, it can be as simple as just mowing your neighbour's lawn.”
Campbell thanks all of the businesses and organisations that contributed to the project.
Rhys Arrowsmith behind the chainsaw.
Winner of the Supreme Award at the TrustPower Tauranga Community Awards last year, Good Neighbour, as the name suggests, is all about creating a sense of community through charitable deeds.
Neighbourhood Projects helps those who need support with action, including donations of firewood, manual labour and garden care.
Community Gardens works to develop a sense of shared knowledge and home-grown vegetables through spaces around the city, while Food Rescue works to salvage goods from supermarkets and cafes – recently partnering with Food Stuffs – to redistribute to organisations of need.
If you would like to know more about how to get involved with Good Neighbour, visit: goodneighbour.co.nz

